USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Athol > History of Athol, Massachusetts > Part 42
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They reported that a fire engine at the village would be of some value to all the citizens but as only a comparatively few would profit greatly by it they recommended that the town pay one-third of the estimated cost of $175. for the engine, provided citizens to be directly benefitted by it subscribe the other two-thirds.
Evidently the two-thirds of $175. were promptly subscribed for shortly after this vote we find a group of men asserting that they had been duly "appointed by the gentlemen Selectmen to man and exercise said engine." The signatures to this asser- tion are Eliphalet Thorpe, Adin Holbrook, Ezra Fish, Perley Sibley, Stephen Harwood, William Newhall, David Young, Jr., David Harwood, Reuben Fairbanks, Amos Blodgett, John H. Morse, Thomas Barry, Gideon Sibley, Moses Fish and Ira Thorpe. This list includes the prominent men of the village and in fact most all the able bodied men in that hamlet.
Spurred into action by the Factory Village the center of the town lost little time in likewise making provision for a fire en- gine and operating company. On May 17, 1817 a subscription paper was started to provide funds for this engine "to be sta- tioned & kept near Athol Meeting House."
There were thirty subscribers to this fund, the highest amount being subscribed by Prescott Jones ($15.) and the smallest by four citizens ($1. each). In all, $162. is listed as subscribed.
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On November 18, 1817 the first meeting of this group was held at which time Prescott Jones, Joseph Proctor, Esq., and Theodore Jones were appointed a committe to confer with the Selectmen "& carry into effect the intentions of the subscrib- ers, viz to purchase a good effective Engine." On November 25, 1817 this committee reported that acting under appoint- ment by the town and by the subscribers Theodore Jones and Zachariah Field had contracted with Esq. George Fitts to build the engine.
Subscribers to the engine fund met on May 16, 1818 and secured the names of seventeen men who consented to be ap- pointed Engine Men, to be attached to Engine No. 2. These original "Engine Men" were: Ebenezer Sheldon, Charles Crosby, Josiah M. Jones, Alden Spooner, William Hoar, Peter Wilder, Loring Hascall, Theodore Jones, Paul Morse, George Fitts, James Brown, David Orcut, Joel Kendall, Jr., William Fowler, William Morse, and Nathaniel Wilder.
Evidently the fame of this engine built by Esq. Fitts had spread beyond our borders for on Saturday, May 30, it was "voted to adjourn said meeting to such day as should acom- modate Esq. Fitts on account of a Committee Expected from Templeton to view the engine." Presumably June 13 was ac- ceptable to Esq. Fitts for on that date the subscribers "met according to appointment of Esq. Fitts."
At this June 13 meeting the fund raised by subscription was increased to a total of $224. which with $112 "received of the Selectmen Men" made a total of$336. of which $300. was paid Mr. Fitts and $36. paid to Morton & Shelden "for 12 Buckets."
July 6, 1818 the No. 2 fire company met for organization at which time a code of by-laws was adopted.
Two years later the two companies sought municipal aid in providing an engine house and the town voted $25. to erect an engine house for Engine Co. No. 2 and a like amount to erect a house for the No. 1 Company. The No. 1 house was built at the southeast corner of the present Athol Savings Bank lot, and the No. 2 house was built at about No. 15 Common Street.
On November 7, 1826 the two fire companies of the town met together at Preston's Hotel (Uptown) together with the Selectmen, Firewards, and other invited guests, in all number- ing about eighty men "took supper, drank toasts & had a jovial time."
Apparently the home made engine uptown proved more ef-
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ficient than the one at the village for in 1830 we find our town voting to pay one-third of $175. for a new engine for No. 1 Company.
These earlier engines were of the old "tub" type which are only seen by this generation in museums. They consisted of a large tank or vat into which the enginemen poured water by buckets from any available supply. Out of this tank the water was pumped into the fire hose by pumps operated by long handles or brakes attached to the side of the engine. The monthly records of the fire companies tell of testing the ma- chine by filling the engine, emptying it, and returning it to the engine house.
April 6, 1840 the town appropriated $60. to provide a suit- able carriage for hooks and ladders and a sled, all for Engine No. 2. This innovation did not meet with the unanimous ap- proval of the Company for after the record of a fire on May 11, 1841 at Jonothan Wheeler's Dry House (Pinedale), the Clerk of the Company, Stephen W. Bliss, adds "The hook and ladder company was present and used their implements (in my opinion) to the disadvantage of the owner of the property." This hook and ladder company served the whole town until after the new Exchange Street Engine House was built in 1894, when a hook and ladder company was formed at Station No. 1 and equipment purchased for it.
Until 1841 the expense of keeping the appartus in repair fell upon the engine men, but in that year the town voted to assume this expense.
Evidently the suction hose engine was then coming into use and some progressive citizens advocated as early as 1843 a new engine uptown. The town still maintained that purchas- ing an engine was largely a matter for individual citizens and not the town, but did concede some responsibility by agreeing to pay one-third the expense of an engine for Company No. 2.
The next year the town passed another vote obligating the public treasury to pay one-third the expense of an engine for each company and in 1845 the amount to be contributed by the town was increased to one-half for each company. A com- mittee of citizens then began investigating different types of engines then on the market.
May 1, 1846 two types of engines were demonstrated at Springfield. Nathaniel Richardson with Jonothan Goodell were designated by the citizens of the Factory Village to attend this demonstration. Mr. Waterman of Hudson demonstrated one
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type and Mr. Button of Waterford, Connecticut represented the other machine which bore his name. This committee de- cided in favor of the Button machine and made a tentative' bargain for an engine of that make. Returning home their action was ratified by the local group and ere long the engine. was delivered here.
It was two years after the new Engine was installed in No. 1 house that the center village acquired a suction engine. In. April, 1848 with a new and improved engine, No. 2 Company took a new lease of life. The town authorized the sale of the old engine at that time.
These engines acquired at the time when Athol was antic- ipating the coming of the railroad were the sole instruments furnished the two fire companies until after the close of the Civil War. But by that time steam fire engines were no longer an experiment and several companies were manufacturing them.
Anticipating this improvement in apparatus, the town in 1864-5 built two new engine houses, that for No. 1 Company being built on posts set in the "Paper Mill Pond" at about 68 Exchange Street, while that for No. 2 Company was built on Pleasant Street approximately at the corner of Main Street.
Then followed an episode that reflects little credit on our town. With the acrimony between the villages running high, the Lower Village succeeded in April, 1868 in getting an ap- propriation to buy a steamer and an Amoskeag machine was soon purchased. It was not until March, 1871 that another $6000. was appropriated to buy a steamer for the Uptown Com- pany. Then the purchasing committee failed to act in agree- ment; one faction bought another Amoskeag machine while the other faction bought a Jucket machine. Both machines were delievered here and claim made for the payment of both engines. At an acrimonious town meeting on May 4, 1871 it was voted to retain the Jucket machine in Athol and arrange- ments were made to sell the Amoskeag engine to Orange.
The installation of these steamers made the old hand ma- chines obsolete, the Despatch being preserved today as a re- minder of the past. That it might be some protection to the then thriving community of Pinedale, the Tiger was takne there, but on July 15, 1874 the mill in that village was burned and the Tiger Engine stored in an ajoining shed could not be saved.
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At both Athol and Orange the Amoskeag machines did ex- cellent service until superseded by motor driven pumpers, the Pequoig in 1923, and the Orange Machine a few years later.
The investment in the Jucket proved to be an unfortunate one. It was decidedly unreliable and was frequently out of commission when much needed. It was really a bitter pill for the aging champions of the Jucket to admit in 1891 that a new engine was needed but they had a reasonable alibi in the argument that the Uptown Company had suffered from a dearth of expert mechanics, while the Pequoig Engine had been cared for by expert machinists of whom George H. Rich- ardson and George Manderville Gerry were outstanding.
On December 16, 1892 the town authorized the disposal of the Jucket and the purchase of a machine of another make. The engineers bought a Silsbury, but even this more modern machine was not as reliable as the old Pequoig.
In 1893-4 the town built the present Exchange Street Fire and Police Station. The No. 2 station was moved in 1896-7 onto a rear lot, converted into a town barn, and the present Uptown Station erected.
A fire alarm system was installed in 1894 to supersede the whistle blowing, bell ringing, and outcries of other days. This was extended from time to time, but in 1949 it was declared obsolete and a new Gamewell System installed. The first mo- torized apparatus was a chemical bought in 1912 which has been followed by many new pieces of apparatus until in 1953 the Department has ten pieces of apparatus, ten full-time men, and thirty-two call men.
The latest acquisition of equipment was a Seagrave machine purchased in 1952 which was first exhibited to the public on December 6 when, led by Athol High School Band, Santa Claus made an entry along lower Main Street to officially open the Christmas Season.
When and by whom names were attached to our fire engines and with them to the personnel of the fire companies is not known but certainly by the middle of the nineteenth century Engine No. 1 became the Tiger and No. 2, the Despatch.
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CHAPTER XXXIII ORGANIZATIONS
American Protective Association
THOL felt the effects of the great political excitement A
that swept over the country in the mid-nineteenth cen- tury. The first was the Know-Nothing movement which in- volved a group of men whose great slogan was taken from a statement of Washington who in an eventful moment in the American Revolution said, "Let none but Americans be on guard tonight." Against immigration and bitterly anti-Cath- olic, they entirely upset the political machine in Massachusetts. during the State elections of 1854.
Then in 1894 came a recurrence of this attitude in politics, and the American Protective Association, (A.P.A.), was formed. In Athol the organization was designated as Council No. 73. This was an entirely secret group, with the membership sup- posedly unknown, but in many ways it became apparent who were the adherents. For a few years before passing from ex- istence, this party exercised what amounted to a dominant in- fluence in our political life, particularly in the election for State officers.
In 1921 came another recurrence of this anti-Catholic ex- citement when a Ku Klux Klan was organized here. Again there were political reprisals. Timid politicians found some security in open alliance with this organization. So far as is recalled there was but one public appearance and that was at the death of Clayton J. Haskins in November, 1925 when the organization paraded the streets in a funeral procession wear- ing robes and hoods. It was said to be in existence for several years and then so far as is known was disbanded.
Ancient Order of United Workman. Artisan Lodge No. 86
In the late 80s and early 90s there was a veritable epidemic in Massachusetts of the formation of semi-secret mutual in- surance organizations. One of these was the Ancient Order of United Workmen still in existence. With headquarters at 154 Newbury Street in Boston, there is a lodge here in Orange, the Athol and Orange group having merged years ago. In- stituted in July, 1887 they were quite strong and substantial
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for many years but gradually the older members have passed away and new membership has not flocked to them to any great extent.
Athol & Orange Ministers Association
Organized on March 12, 1894, this organization is still flourishing, and is now known as the Millers River Ministerial Association. This group of ministers from Royalston, Phillip- ston, Athol, and Orange meets Mondays about once a month, and is of much help to our clergymen in their service to these communities.
Athol Associated Charities
In 1903 a meeting was held to co-ordinate the various char- itable agencies which resulted in the formation of Athol Asso- ciated Charities on March 22, 1904. For a good many years this organization took an active part in the philanthropic life of the community. With much government aid granted at the present time the need for this group seems to have passed and the organization is dormant.
Athol Board of Trade
Was organized at the Pequoig House in 1872 with A. Hard- ing as President and F. G. Lord as Secretary, but within fifteen years it had become inactive. New life was injected into the organization in 1887 when Augustus Coolidge, a strong agita- tor for a bigger and better Athol, instigated its revival. For some years the Board was active and among other things sought free mail delivery in 1896. Before its eventual merger with the Athol Chamber of Commerce in 1926, it had com- bined with the Athol Merchants Association, had inaugurated the policy of Wednesday afternoon store closing, and its of- fice had become the center of our World War I activities. In those busy days John F. Hayden, the first paid secretary of the Board, was indispensable.
Athol Bands
Parades "preceeded by a band of musick" had been men- tioned some fifty years previous to the earliest record we have of the Athol Brass Band on April 15, 1845. In it Laban Morse, grandfather of the band historian, played a clarinet. Other members were Charles W. Morse, Dexter Cheney, Freeland Stockwell, Joseph Moore, John S. Lewis, Thomas Blake, Wilder Stratton, Wayland Peck, John R. Pierce and William H. Terrill.
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HISTORY OF ATHOL
Shortly before the Civil War another band was formed with Amos Sawyer, a cornetist, as leader. Many of the young men who enlisted in the army were in that band and many of them joined one organized later in 1866.
This latter band was led for a time by George Rich of Phil- lipston who was suceeded by Leander B. Morse. Others who made up the personnel were Henry T. Morse, Joseph Hanson, George Hanson, Sylvester Underwood, Reuben Twichell, L. M. Wellman, Edward Foster, E. E. Kelton, Almond Smith, Amos H. Locke, William S. Wiggins, Albert Horton, Edward Clapp, Luke Sabin, Frank F. Morse, Frederick Morse, Joseph F. Fay, Lucius Simonds, John Saunders, Erastus Clapp, and Fred Strat- ton. Edward and Erastus Clapp played in the Orange Band reg- ularly but were with the Athol organization for many important engagements.
Some of these musicians later became well known. Luke Sabin and Erastus Clapp were selected as flutist and cornetist for the band that went around the world with President Grant on his famous world tour. Mr. Clapp was presented a cornet with a gold mouthpiece by Queen Victoria of England, which she gave him for his remarkable playing. After his return to America, he played in Reeves' Military Band of Providence and the famous Brown's Brigade Band of Boston, and also the Park Theatre Orchestra.
This band was discontinued about 1870 as many of its mem- bers had left town. Almost immediately the Athol Cornet Band, 26 pieces, was organized in the Upper Village with Frank F. Morse as leader. Louis H. Cheney, Edward Hanson, Henry Harris, Mr. Dunklee, Charles Frye, George Webster, William Briggs, George Hanson, Hero Amsden, Wilson H. Lee, Edward Sibley, William Bemis, Elliot Amsden, Frank Blodgett and Vernon Cook were some of the members during the six years of its existence.
An outgrowth of the disbanded Athol Cornet Band was the Athol Brass Band, with Erastus Clapp as instructor and Frank F. Morse, leader. Their uniforms, particularly their Russian hats with gold frontispiece were spectacular and won many admiring glances at the band tournaments in which they ap- peared. They wore navy blue coats with gold buttons and gold braid on the sleeves, and tasseled gold shoulder epaulets. Pants were light blue with gold stripes and the black belt was set off with a gold buckle. Chief of these tournaments was one held at Brattleboro, Vermont where the Athol group was award- ed first prize in competition with forty other bands.
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ORGANIZATIONS
This colorful band existed until about 1883 when it dis- solved and another one was started with Zenas Luce as leader. Upon Mr. Luce's removal from town, the leadership went to W. J. Hayden under whom it furnished music for Brewer's Skating Rink, which at that time was on the top floor, after- wards Masonic Hall, over what is now Bemis' Bakery, Uptown. Previous to this the Citizens Band had been organized in the lower village and as many of these members desired to join the new organization, this band was discontinued.
In 1893 Mr. Frank H. Rainey came to Athol. Before long he was to become leader of the Starrett Band. In the mean- time, however, he joined the Pequoig Band, a reorganization of the discontinued Citizens Band. The personnel included Harry Preston as director, Frank Coolidge, Joseph Rieb, Elmer Merriam, Fred Coolidge, Edward W. Ellis, John L. Balcom, Charles Bigelow, Walter J. Rickey, Joseph Yeager, James Hay- den, Fred Swift, Alex McLeod, Frank Sheldon, Leroy Foster, Hugo Engel and Charles Twitchell.
The new Pequoig Band composed of many members of the Uptown and Citizens Bands included Jerome Pierce as direc- tor, John L. Balcom, Gut Gifford, Joseph Rieb, Dr. Marshall, Fred Stratton, Arthur Cummings, Edward Wilder, Thomas Henchey, George Lakie, Charles Bigelow, Albert E. Dunklee, Claude Edgerly, Bert Hale, Arthur Hale, Herman M. Comer- ford, and F. H. Rainey. Joining later were Frank E. Weaver, Scott Appleton, "Stub Stockwell," and Fred Stratton. This band continued until 1898.
Reorganization of the Pequoig Band became the Starrett Band with Scott Appleton as director. He was soon succeeded by George Mayo. Others who played were L. A. Bemis, Mal- colm Smith, Gideon Gaudet, John L. Balcom, Fred Stratton, Pedro Calcari, George Clark, Dr. Marshall, Henry Lescord, Frank E. Weaver, Eli Gaudet, Anselme Brouillet, Edward Bar- rus, Henry Preston, Charles Bryan, Dr. Z. Luce, George A. Bemis, Frank Gorton, Arthur Bridges, Teel Edgerly, George Marshall, Bert Hale, and F. H. Rainey. Later, about 1917, Orie Lund, Walter Davis, Harry Rainey, Ralph Eaton, Roy Blackmer, Norman Perley, John Bacon, Harold Bacon, and sev- eral members of the later band joined the original group.
In 1910 F. H. Rainey was elected director. They played at four or five fairs a season in those days, besides Sunday con- certs at the different parks. During Athol's 150th anniversary in 1912, they gave a concert in the Academy of Music, at
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which time the late Congressman Wilder complimented them on having such a fine band.
One of the most prominent members of this group was the late Frank E. Weaver, who had travelled with the Guy Min- strels, was a member of the Aleppo Temple Band, and at one time first trombonist in the Fitchburg Band under Director Patz. Many Athol residents remember his solo work.
Starrett Band continued until 1935 when a reorganization was held and the Athol Military Band was formed with the help of the Athol Chamber of Commerce.
Athol was fortunate in having Mr. Rainey as director of its band for well over forty years. During this time both his son and his grandson played for him.
Athol Exchange Club
Inspired by the success of Athol Rotary Club, a group of young men sought a charter for a local Exchange Club. This was granted in 1928 and Parker B. Kimball served as the first President. This Club meets in the Athol House on alternate Tuesdays at 6:30 p. m. It has attracted a younger element to its membership many of whom could not well spare the time which Rotary takes out in the middle of a busy day. Long ago a limit of seventy was put on their membership and much of the time since there has been a waiting list.
Athol Kiwanis Club
The Athol Kiwanis Club was organized by the Orange Club on June 10, 1947. About 350 attended the charter night pro- gram which took place on September 8, 1947. International Trustee, Roy F. Cooke, gave the main address. Gov. Everett F. Penshorn, Governor of the N. E. District, presented the charter.
On the night that the club was organized the group voted to raise and donate $2000.00 to the Athol Memorial Hospital. This amount was obtained by joint sponsorship of all Kiwanis Minstrel Shows, with the Orange Club, and the final payment was made in two years.
Athol is the fifteenth club in the 2nd District of the New England District. The membership remains constant at about 50 members, which is four more than were in the club on charter night. Clergy of Athol are all Honorary Members.
Meetings are held on Monday evenings at the Athol House.
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ORGANIZATIONS
Athol Lions Club
Organized here April 17, 1950 with Dr. Raymond Fessenden as its first President. It met for a time at Pequoig Hotel but is now gathering at American Legion Home.
Dr. Fessenden has subsequently been honored by appoint- ment as District Governor of this District which is number 33A.
It meets on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month.
Athol Merchants Association
An organization of merchants to attempt at a uniformity of hours and other procedure, it eventually merged with Athol Chamber of Commerce and operates as the Mercantile Divi- sion of that group.
Athol-Orange Lodge No. 1837 B. P. O.E.
The newest in the list of Athol fraternities is Athol-Orange Lodge No. 1837 B.P.O.E.
Although Athol men have been affiliated for many years with lodges of Elks in Fitchburg, Gardner and one at least in Boston, yet no concerted attempt was made to organize locally until 1950 when some definite action was noticeable. Charles M. Kelley had come here from Boston as a Civil Engineer su- pervising the construction of the Veterans' Housing project on Castle Avenue and had urged the forming of an Elks Lodge here.
He found a strong supporter in Dr. F. A. Reynolds who had belonged to a Boston Lodge for nearly a third of a century.
In April 1951, in response to a post card invitation by Dr. Reynolds, a group of Athol men met at the Pequoig Hotel (then for a short time being named the Kenlin) where they were joined by State and National officers of the Order and details talked over.
As an outcome of this meeting another was held at the same hotel on June 5, 1951 when it was revealed that eighty-four names were on the petition for a charter.
In November 1951 a committee from this group purchased at auction the Breezy Hill Club, New Athol Road, Orange, with much of its equipment, the property being held by Dr. Rey- nolds as Trustee.
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HISTORY OF ATHOL
As the Lodge had been started as an Athol institution and was now contemplating locating not only in another town but in another county there was some delay in organization and a new name had to be adopted-Athol-Orange Lodge.
However, on January 13, 1952 the Lodge was instituted at the State Armory in Orange with Dr. Reynolds as Exalted Ruler and Paul E. Morse, Secretary.
In July 1952 at the national assembly of the Order the pro- ceedings were confirmed and the charter granted.
After the initiation of January 13, 1953 there were 160 members of this Lodge with prospects of another large class in the near future.
Although when purchased the Breezy Hill building seemed abundantly adequate, yet already more space has become im- perative and a substantial addition has been built along the north side of the first story room.
Athol Reform Club
One of the outgrowths of the strong anti-liquor sentiment of that period, the Athol Reform Club was organized at the Center on March 10, 1876 and exerted a decided influence for sobriety in town. Nearly five hundred persons had signed the pledge within a few short weeks. After carrying on for some ten years the organization passed out of existence.
Athol Rod & Gun Club
In 1927 a group of local men desired a recreation area more particularly as a shooting range, and organized the Athol Rod & Gun Club. They purchased an area west of where the old Pinedale Mill formerly stood adjoining the town line and grad- ually built several buildings for the accommodation of the members and their activities. The reservation opened in 1927 and the Club has been successful in securing a comparatively large membership among Athol people and from surrounding towns.
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